Eremurus possibly?

[lpw]

Could this possibly be EREMURUS Stenophylus (aka Bungei), Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle?
I bought  3 large starfish-shaped roots for $8 from easytogrowbulbs.com and planted in Nov 2014 in a part-shade part of my Berkeley, CA, garden, but I haven't seen them since then. If so, this would be a miracle revival from the supposed-dead, 9 years later. But it doesn't look sturdy and big enough. I haven't planted anything else that would look vaguely like this plant. So what is it?

[Uli]

Hello,

Happy to answer your question but it would be helpful if you could send a picture of the whole plant, foliage included if there is any and some kind of scale to be able to judge the size of the plant. And also a picture with open and not closed flowers.
Uli 

[lpw]

I hope these photos (in addition) are helpful?

The top of the flower stalk is over two feet high.

[Jan Jeddeloh]

Could it be a bulbinella?  

[Arnold]

Starfish shaped root stock leans towards an Eremurus

[Mikent]

I bought  3 large starfish-shaped roots for $8 from easytogrowbulbs.com and planted in Nov 2014 in a part-shade part of my Berkeley, CA, garden, but I haven't seen them since then. If so, this would be a miracle revival from the supposed-dead, 9 years later.

It was a starfish-shaped rootstock in contention 9 years ago, Arnold. No idea what rootstock this sudden emergence is connected to...

[Martin Bohnet]

The leaf photos are still not brilliant, but I'd expect something more fleshy for Eremurus, while 2 feet are a bit on the small side, eremurus would be closer to 2 m. I'd also lean towards Bulbinella or Bulbine

[lpw]

Thanks for the opinions. (I'd given up hope of a reply.) I agree that it looks more like a bulbine or bulbinella.

[Arnold]

Mike

Bulbs have a habit of sulking when moved.  The Eremurus have a minimal tunic and I'd guest prone to drying.